Chennai, January 20, 2026 — The recent decision of the Governor to decline reading the Government’s address in the State Assembly has triggered intense political debate across the state and the country. Such an action by a constitutional head is rare and significant. Far from being a mere procedural disagreement, the Governor’s refusal was based on deep concerns about governance, transparency, social justice, and constitutional values.
According to the Governor, the official speech failed to reflect the true condition of the state and ignored several grave issues affecting millions of people. The following are the key reasons behind his unprecedented decision.
1. Denial of the Right to Speak in the Assembly
One of the most serious allegations is that the Governor’s microphone was repeatedly switched off and he was not allowed to speak freely in the Assembly. Such an act undermines the dignity of a constitutional authority and raises troubling questions about respect for democratic institutions and legislative decorum.
2. Misleading and Unsubstantiated Claims
The Governor objected to what he described as numerous misleading claims in the speech. Several statements were made without credible supporting data, while many urgent public issues were completely ignored. According to him, the address presented a distorted picture of governance rather than an honest assessment.
3. Exaggerated Investment Figures
The government claimed that the state attracted investments worth over ₹12 lakh crore. However, the Governor pointed out that most of these are only Memorandums of Understanding that remain on paper.
Actual investments are only a small fraction of the claimed figures. Moreover, Tamil Nadu’s position among Indian states in attracting Foreign Direct Investment has declined from fourth place four years ago to struggling to remain sixth today, indicating a fall in investor confidence.
4. Alarming Rise in Crimes Against Women
One of the most disturbing omissions in the speech was women’s safety. This comes at a time when:
- POCSO rape cases have increased by over 55%
- Incidents of sexual molestation have increased by more than 33%
Ignoring such a serious social crisis sends a dangerous message about the government’s priorities.
5. Drug Menace and Youth Suicides
The spread of narcotics and drug abuse, especially among youth and school students, has become a major threat to society.
More than 2,000 young people committed suicide in a single year due to drug addiction. Families are being destroyed and the future of an entire generation is at risk. Shockingly, this crisis was casually bypassed in the government’s address.
6. Rising Atrocities Against Dalits
Atrocities against Dalits and sexual violence against Dalit women are reportedly increasing sharply. The Governor noted with concern that the speech made no mention of this injustice faced by some of the most vulnerable sections of society.
7. A State in the Grip of Suicides
About 20,000 people committed suicide in one year, which amounts to nearly 65 suicides every day.
No other state in the country faces such alarming figures. Tamil Nadu is increasingly being referred to as the “Suicide Capital of India”. Yet, this humanitarian crisis found no place in the government’s address.
8. Decline in Education Standards
The state’s education system is facing a serious crisis:
- More than 50% of faculty positions remain vacant for years
- Guest lecturers are agitating across the state
- Students are staring at an uncertain future
Despite this, the government speech offered no roadmap to rescue the education sector.
9. Collapse of Grassroots Democracy
Several thousand Village Panchayats have remained defunct because elections have not been held for years. These local bodies are now run by government-appointed special officers.
As a result, crores of people are denied their constitutional right to local self-governance. This is a direct violation of the spirit of the Constitution, yet the issue did not even find a mention.
10. Mismanagement of Temples and Ignored Court Orders
Thousands of temples in the state are functioning without Boards of Trustees and are directly administered by the government.
Key directions of the Hon’ble Madras High Court on restoring and preserving ancient temples have not been implemented even after five years. The religious sentiments of millions of devotees continue to be ignored.
11. Crisis in the MSME Sector
The MSME sector, which is the backbone of employment and economic growth, is under severe stress due to high visible and invisible costs of doing business.
While India has over 55 million registered MSMEs, Tamil Nadu has only about 4 million, despite enormous potential. Many entrepreneurs are forced to move their businesses to other states. This crucial economic issue was completely ignored.
12. Discontent Among Lower-Level Employees
There is widespread frustration among lower-rung employees across almost all sectors. Issues related to pay, promotions, service conditions, and job security remain unresolved.
The speech offered no concrete measures to address these genuine grievances.
13. Disrespect to the National Anthem
Finally, the Governor pointed out that the National Anthem was once again insulted and a fundamental constitutional duty was disregarded, raising serious concerns about respect for national symbols and constitutional values.
Conclusion: A Speech That Ignored the Real State of the State
The Governor’s refusal to read the government’s speech was not a symbolic gesture but a serious constitutional warning.
From women’s safety to youth suicides, from Dalit atrocities to temple mismanagement, from collapsing education to broken grassroots democracy — the issues affecting millions of citizens were either ignored or misrepresented.
In a democracy, the Assembly address should reflect the true condition of society, not merely political achievements. This episode highlights the urgent need for honest governance, accountability, and a people-centric approach to administration.